Trafficked women married to misery
Bede HongPublished: Jun 27, 2007 10:03 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 10:21 AM
Match-making companies are being used as fronts by international human trafficking syndicates, leading to the exploitation of thousands of Asian women.
Match-making companies are being used as fronts by international human trafficking syndicates, leading to the exploitation of thousands of Asian women.
An estimated 800,000 people are smuggled into the country for the purposes of exploitation, according to the Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.
"The international network of human traffickers have become so sophisticated that it uses match-making companies to bring in women from a poverty-stricken background," she said in a written parliamentary reply to Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam).
Shahrizat said the ministry has identified Indonesia, China, Thailand and the Phillippines as countries of origin of the women affected.
She acknowledged that the government's efforts to curb the problem had been stymied until the recent passage of the Anti-Human Trafficking Act.
"It has been difficult to charge the perpetrators with trafficking people. But the new law has strengthened the powers of the authorities to act against traffickers and those match-making companies that trade in women in the name of marriage," she said.
Scandalised MP
During Question time in the House today, the youth and sports ministry said it had no problem with the scanty dressing of 'grid girls' at racing events promoted by the government.
Parliamentary secretary S Vigneswaran said the girls are part and parcel of international races.
He was replying Hasni Mohamad (BN-Pontian) who sarcastically asked how their attire could have escaped the ministry's attention "when the whole country can see what they are wearing".
Vigneswaran pointed out that grid girls don't wear swim suits but hot pants.
"Before approving international events in Malaysia, the ministry ensures that each organiser understands and respects the country's culture and traditions," he said.
He cited the Le Tour de Langkawi and Formula One race this year as examples of events where grid girls were dressed in kebaya, but assured that the ministry would look into the complaint to prevent further complaints.
An estimated 800,000 people are smuggled into the country for the purposes of exploitation, according to the Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil. "The international network of human traffickers have become so sophisticated that it uses match-making companies to bring in women from a poverty-stricken background," she said in a written parliamentary reply to Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam).
Shahrizat said the ministry has identified Indonesia, China, Thailand and the Phillippines as countries of origin of the women affected.
She acknowledged that the government's efforts to curb the problem had been stymied until the recent passage of the Anti-Human Trafficking Act.
"It has been difficult to charge the perpetrators with trafficking people. But the new law has strengthened the powers of the authorities to act against traffickers and those match-making companies that trade in women in the name of marriage," she said.
Scandalised MP
During Question time in the House today, the youth and sports ministry said it had no problem with the scanty dressing of 'grid girls' at racing events promoted by the government.
Parliamentary secretary S Vigneswaran said the girls are part and parcel of international races. He was replying Hasni Mohamad (BN-Pontian) who sarcastically asked how their attire could have escaped the ministry's attention "when the whole country can see what they are wearing".
Vigneswaran pointed out that grid girls don't wear swim suits but hot pants.
"Before approving international events in Malaysia, the ministry ensures that each organiser understands and respects the country's culture and traditions," he said.
He cited the Le Tour de Langkawi and Formula One race this year as examples of events where grid girls were dressed in kebaya, but assured that the ministry would look into the complaint to prevent further complaints.
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